Fellow Soldiers Call Bowe Bergdahl a Deserter, Not a Hero

CNN ^ | Sunday, June 1, 2014 | Jake Tapper

[kristinn]

The sense of pride expressed by officials of the Obama administration at the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is not shared by many of those who served with him -- veterans and soldiers who call him a deserter whose "selfish act" ended up costing the lives of better men.

"I was pissed off then and I am even more so now with everything going on," said former Sergeant Matt Vierkant, a member of Bergdahl's platoon when he went missing on June 30, 2009. "Bowe Bergdahl deserted during a time of war and his fellow Americans lost their lives searching for him."

Vierkant said Bergdahl needs to not only acknowledge his actions publicly but face a military trial for desertion under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

A reporter asked Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Sunday whether Bergdahl had left his post without permission or deserted -- and, if so, whether he would be punished. Hagel didn't answer directly. "Our first priority is assuring his well-being and his health and getting him reunited with his family," he said. "Other circumstances that may develop and questions, those will be dealt with later."

Following his release from five years of captivity in Afghanistan on Saturday, Bergdahl was transferred to a military hospital in Germany.

SNIP

On August 18, 2009, Staff Sgt. Clayton Bowen and Pfc. Morris Walker were killed by an IED in the search for Bergdahl. Staff Sgt. Kurt Curtiss was killed on August 26; 2nd Lt. Darryn Andrews and Pfc. Matthew Michael Martinek were killed after being attacked in Yahya Khail District on September 4; Staff Sgt. Michael Murphrey was killed September 5 by an IED at the Forward Operating Base, Sharana.

[AAABEST]

The information is not simply "anonymous." It's coming from men who have been CONFRIMED as in his unit at the time, when there were CONFIRMED KIA.

I really hate to see his parents insulted...

His parents are bags of s*** who are quite literally working for the enemy. The father is a muzzie sympathizer who praised allah in PASHTUN from the Rose Garden and spends his days trying to get the rest of the terrorists released from GITMO.

All you're worried about is them being "insulted?" WTF is wrong with you?

[Dapper 26]

We all need to hear more with a critical ear.

[Mark17]

It was interesting that Taliban Daddy

When I first saw him on TV, I was angered, because the dude looks like a Taliban for sure. If he is not, then then the way he looked, was a PR nightmare. I was not impressed with the guy, especially when he started talking that funny language. Not good.

[itssme]

What do soldiers do to a soldier who is a traitor? What do patriot Americans do to the “parents” of this traitor, who agree with his actions?

We let both of them hear from us hard and often. As for the soldiers dealing with a traitor among them..do what you have to do.

[Colorado Doug]

"Our first priority is assuring his well-being and his health and getting him reunited with his family," that we release as many islamic terrorists as possible for whatever reason."

There, fixed it.

[rlmorel]

"...I DO know his family’s history and condition, and unless someone has VERY recently changed, they are not Muslims or liberals..."

What do you make of the actions of his father, if they are neither muslims or liberals?

[Colorado Doug]

I know a CLOSE friend of the Bergdahls. I know they are being misrepresented on this board; badly.

Please do set the record straight. The father proclaiming "allahu Akbar" or "god is great" in whatever language is puzzling. (where have we heard that phrase before? His beard and study of Pashto is puzzling. The tweets are disturbing, if true. Please tell us if none of this is true. I am not flaming you. Just asking for your version of things.

[xzins]

Having the unit sign a non-disclosure agreement never to discuss Bergdahl’s disappearance/desertion is extremely unusual to me. The only time I’m aware that happens is when a soldier is exposed to extremely classified information for which they have not been cleared. I can’t fathom why the desertion of a unit member would receive the highest of security classifications.

Next, that weak line about Bergdahl have served his time by being held captive is simply not true.

1. What is the normal punishment for desertion in a combat zone and while on guard duty? (I know it goes up to and includes the death sentence.) If his 5 years with the Taliban is not as long as a normal sentence, then no, he hasn’t served his time.

2. Also, if as a deserter he joined with the Taliban, and now is just interested in going home to visit his family (and be a possible agent while here), then he could well have been treated well, except for a few photo ops to deceive the public, and didn’t serve any time at all.

This desertion is very disturbing, because he did desert from guard duty, and he did leave his unit vulnerable, and his action did lead to deaths.

They prosecuted the Haditha Marines for returning fire when fired upon, and now a deserter is going to get a pass?

Prosecute those faithfully upholding the mission, but heap acclaim on those who subvert the mission? Is that insane or what?

In no way should this be construed as a lynch mop or as clamoring for blood, but the accusations of his fellow unit members clear call for an investigation.

[Ann Archy]

TRIBE?? Is he Jewish?

[old and tired]

Hmm. Never expected to see this side on CNN.

[Ann Archy]

OMG!!! We TRULY are in an upside down world where bad is good, black is white.......This creep is a TRAITOR responsible for many innocent deaths and the PRESIDENT is of the same ILK!

[Hot Tabasco]

Following his release from five years of captivity in Afghanistan on Saturday,

Following his 5 years of serving with the enemy, Bergdahl is provided free airfare home in exchange for 5 Taliban terrorists........there, fixed it.

[Dr. Ursus]

How many Afghan women and child will be killed in the future because of this.,

[Cowgirl of Justice]

It is SOP for this administration.

[Cowgirl of Justice]

I heard on the news last night he was having trouble speaking English.

Sounds like he assimilated a little TOO well.

And, make no mistake, this is NOT Stockholm Syndrome.

[Diogenesis]

"The sooner you cracker Americams BOW low to Islam
and al Qaeda like me, the better. Now, serve."

[ilovesarah2012]

Then tell us Bergdahl’s side if you know it so well. Are you saying the guy in his unit is lying? And if he tried to “escape”, do you really believe he would still be alive? And what about daddy’s tweets?

And even at the Rose Garden press conference, Obama wasn’t wearing a tie. Some have said muslims don’t wear ties and this was a signal of some sort. Conspiracy theories are so easy with Obama in charge.

[Brooklyn Attitude]

“Fellow Soldiers Call Bowe Bergdahl a Deserter, Not a Hero”

To the OBozo regime deserters ARE heroes. Plus the deal gives the Tali 5 certified terrorists back. Its win-win for the Traitor in Chief.

[TADSLOS]

His fellow men in uniform had to sign nondisclosure agreements, per the article! Is this normal for situations like this?

No, this is a CYA move.

[don-o]

bump to mark. Kind of boggled to see CNN run with this. Hoping they get as fascinated as they did with MH-370!